This species is diagnosed by the structure of the inferior appendage and the phallic apparatus, especially the rounded mesal concavity, the short mesobasal lobe and the short 2nd article of the inferior appendage, and the phallobase with paired apicolateral projections each bearing a short, apical spine-like seta. This new species belongs to a group of 10 species whose males have segment X divided into a mesal process and a pair of lateral processes (A. ayura Holzenthal, 1985, A. cauca Holzenthal, 1985, A. choco Holzenthal, 1985, A. flinti Holzenthal, 1985, A. napo Holzenthal, 1985, A. quebrada Holzenthal, 1985, A. real Holzenthal & Ríos-Touma, 2016, A. spinifera Holzenthal, 1986, A. stellata Holzenthal, 1985, and A. tandayapa Holzenthal & Rázuri-Gonzales, 2011). Among these, A. carchi sp. n., is most similar to A. quebrada based on the structure of the inferior appendage (short 2nd segment, deep mesal concavity in ventral view), but the mesal notch on the preanal appendage of the new species is not as deep as in A. quebrada. Additionally, A. carchi lacks parameres in the phallic apparatus, but has a pair of apicolateral projections each with an apical spine-like seta, and the lateral process of tergum X in the new species lacks any spine-like setae apically. In the key to males of the genus provided by Holzenthal and Ríos-Touma (2016), the new species will lead to A. spinifera, but the paired apicolateral processes of the phallobase are not bifid as they are in A. spinifera.

Male. Forewing length 5.5 mm (n=1). Body and legs brown, no discernable color pattern, antennae cream colored (specimen pinned, base of wings slightly denuded). Genitalia as in Fig. 1A–D. Segment IX annular, sternum with anterior margin straight not extended anteriorly (Fig. 1A). Segment X composed of single mesal process and pair of lateral processes (Fig. 1A–B); mesal process very lightly sclerotized, slightly longer than preanal appendages, triangular, apex acute (Fig. 1B); lateral process broadly crescent-shaped, without any spine-like setae; apically, lateral process with about 5-6 small setae (Fig. 1A). Preanal appendages large, oval, fused basally but divided apically to 1/3 their lengths (apical emargination broad); with large reticulate internal gland and small subapicoventral pore (Fig. 1A–B); apically with pair of short, digitate, membranous dorsomesal processes (Fig. 1B). Inferior appendage narrow, elongate, bent dorsad from base, with short basoventral projection bearing short setae (Fig. 1A, C); in ventral view, with deep, rounded mesal concavity with sharp posterior angle; ending in bulbous, semi-membranous apex, bearing subterminal tuft of closely appressed setae emerging from membranous pocket and with prominent setae on mesal face; 2nd article of inferior appendage short, thin, slightly curved inwards in ventral view, apex acute; 2nd article sitting on ridge at base of mesal concavity (Fig. 1C). Phallic apparatus (Fig. 1D) with phallobase well-developed, with sclerotized apicolateral projection on each side, bearing stout apical spine-like seta; parameres absent; endothecal membranes well-developed, everted on specimen, with row of small spicules anterodorsally; phallotremal sclerite U-shaped, well-developed, triangular in lateral view.

Figure 1. 

Amphoropsyche carchi, new species. Male genitalia A segments IX-X, lateral B segments IX-X, dorsal C inferior appendages, ventral D phallus, lateral. IX=abdominal segment IX.

Male. ECUADOR: Carchi: Quebrada San Francisco (Hacienda San Francisco), ca. 1.8 km W Las Juntas, 00.80330°N, 78.17081°W, el. 1241 m, 15.ii.2017, Ríos-Touma & Amigo (UMSP000114269) (MECN).

This species is named after the Province of Carchi, where the type was collected.

This species is mainly diagnosed by the structure of the inferior appendage, the phallic apparatus, and the mesal process of tergum X. The inferior appendage is very slender and straight and bears a pair of spine-like mesoventral projections. One or both of these spine-like mesoventral projections could represent the 2nd article that has become fused to the body (1st article) of the inferior appendage; however, while these are positioned where the 2nd article occurs in those species that possess one, no indication of articulation or fusion is apparent). The phallic apparatus has a strongly sclerotized apicolateral projection of the phallobase and the endothecal membranes have a pair of lightly sclerotized spine-like projections dorsally. Finally, the mesal process of segment X is elongate, talon-like, curved ventrad apically, and much longer than the preanal appendages. As with A. carchi species, this new species is related to the group of species with divided tergum X. It resembles A. spinifera, due to the very slender and almost straight inferior appendage, but differs in the spine-like mesoventral projections (if these are interpreted to be the 2nd article, their structure is different). The lateral processes of tergum X are also similar between the 2 species, but the mesal processes are quite different; in A. spinifera the process is only slightly shorter than the preanal appendages and the apex is rounded, but in A. matsigenka it is much longer than the preanal appendages and the apex is sharply pointed. In the key to males of the genus provided by Holzenthal and Ríos-Touma (2016), A. matsigenka will lead to couplet 14 containing A. cauca and A. ayura if the 2nd article of the inferior appendage is assumed absent, but the new species lacks the phallic parameres found in those species.

Male. Forewing length 5.5 mm (n=1). Body and appendages brown (specimen preserved in 80% ethyl alcohol, wings denuded). Genitalia as in Fig. 2A–D. Segment IX annular, sternum with anterior margin slightly extended anteriorly (Fig. 2A). Segment X composed of single mesal process and pair of lateral processes (Fig. 2A–B); mesal process elongate, talon-like, curved ventrad apically, and much longer than preanal appendage; lateral process broadly crescent-shaped, with spine-like seta subapically on ventral margin; apically lateral process with ca. 5 small setae (Fig. 2A). Preanal appendages large, oval, fused basally but divided apically to 1/2 their lengths (apical emargination acute); with large reticulate internal gland and small subapicoventral pore (Fig. 2A–B); apically with pair of very reduced, digitate, membranous dorsomesal processes (Fig. 2B). Inferior appendage narrow, elongate, almost straight, with pair of spine-like mesoventral projections (Fig. 2A, C); in ventral view, concave mesally; ending in bulbous, semi-membranous apex, bearing subterminal tuft of closely appressed setae emerging from membranous pocket and with prominent setae on mesal face; 2nd article of inferior appendage absent [or one or both of the spine-like mesoventral projections could represent the 2nd article that has become fused to the first article] (Fig. 2C). Phallic apparatus (Fig. 2D) with phallobase well-developed, with sclerotized apicolateral projection on each side, without apical spine-like seta; parameres absent; endothecal membranes well-developed, everted on specimen, with pair of lightly sclerotized spine-like projections dorsally; phallotremal sclerite U-shaped, well-developed, oval in lateral view.

Figure 2. 

Amphoropsyche matsigenka, new species. Male genitalia A segments IX-X, lateral B segments IX-X, dorsal C inferior appendages, ventral D phallus, lateral.

Female. Forewing length 5.5 mm (n=1). Color and structure similar to male’s (specimen preserved in 80% ethyl alcohol, wings denuded). Genitalia as in Fig. 3A–D. Abdominal tergum IX + X complete; dorsomesal margin entire; distinctive Y-shaped sclerite internally. Appendages of segment X quadrate, longer than wider, setose, directed laterad. Valves posterolateral, rounded, wider than longer, bare, but with highly folded membranous surface and prominemt dorsal ridge of folded membrane [these structures are less evident than the valves in other species so their homology as valves is uncertain]. Vulvar scale thin, more sclerotized than surrounding tissues, narrow in lateral view, round in dorsal view with slight mesal excavation. Pleuron region and sternum IX laterally forming large, prominent pocket-like structure. Vaginal apparatus (spermathecal sclerite complex) (see Fig. 3C, D) with broad, oval, posterior base bearing central “keyhole-shaped” structure; middle region to apex with narrow lightly sclerotized plates and membrane.

Figure 3. 

Amphoropsyche matsigenka, new species. Female genitalia A segments IX-X, lateral B segments IX-X, dorsal C vaginal apparatus, lateral D vaginal apparatus, ventral. IX=abdominal segment IX, X=abdominal segment X.

Male. PERU: Cusco: La Convención, Echarate, Cashiriari-3 [Shell prospecting and development project], 11.86667°S, 72.65°W, el. 690 m, xi-xii.1997, S. Córdoba, (UMSP000114270) (MUSM). Paratypes: Same data as holotype, 1 female (UMSP000114271) (MUSM).

This species is named after the Matsigenka ethnic group, whose communities are spread throughout the departments of Cusco and Madre de Dios in southeastern Peru, more specifically, the Cashiriari community that inhabits the area where the holotype was collected.

ECUADOR: Pichincha: Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve and Lodge, small stream, pan trap, 0.01212°S, 78.68958°W, 13–14.vii.2017, el. 2614 m, col. Andrea Tapia, 2 males (MECN).